The Fijian president on Thursday spoke highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, calling it a connector enabling the South Pacific Island state to facilitate its connection to the global community.
President Jioji Konousi Konrote made the remarks at an investiture ceremony for Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhang Ping, who was awarded the Order of Fiji for distinguished service of a high degree to Fiji.
"Fiji views the Belt and Road Initiative as a connector, and the strengthening of our relations as an enabler that will facilitate our connection to the global community through the five key areas of Policy, Infrastructure, Trade, Finance, and People-to-People Development," he said.
"This is especially vital for Fiji, given our status as a geographic and socio-economic hub of the Pacific and so we look forward to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative."
The president described Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama's invitation by China to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May as "a privilege and a testament" to the strengthening relations between the two countries.
Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting countries and regions along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.
At the ceremony, President Jioji Konousi Konrote reiterated his country's adherence to the one-China policy.
He praised China for helping Fiji in multiple sectors, saying that Fijians have felt and seen the strengthening of engagements between the two countries across various sectors.